Shashi Tharoor: Nehru: A BiographyAs a young Indian child growing up in America, I heard stories about India's independence movement from my parents. I was told about Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India. I had trouble believing that a single individual could have so much impact on the world. After reading, Shashi Tharoor's book, I've changed my mind.
Tharoor's analysis of the intertwining between an individual's biography and the birth of a nation is masterful. The book stays close to its subject, Nehru, but then ventures to link his biography to many of the Indian institutions we now take for granted, including: secularism, democracy, non-alignment, and the country's prowess in science and math. This is a highly readable book and I strongly recommend it to any reader interested in learning about India, its culture, and its first leader.

Mary Douglas: How Institutions ThinkThis book will re-wire your mind. If you ever believed that what we take for reality is mostly a projected societal consensus rather than objective fact, read this book. In addition to being a first-class theorist who can identify critical mechanisms for the social construction of reality, she is fantastic writer. I couldn't sleep for days after reading this book.

December 18, 2006

I was in Scotland last week teaching in an executive education program. I had a great meal at a Edinburgh seasfood restaurant called Fisher's. The restaurant is located in a charming townhouse in the town center. It is a cozy place, with about 15 tables. I sat with a colleague in a tight, but acceptable corner. An exposed brick wall defines one end of the restaurant, while across the room is a deep indigo blue wall, with two indigo paintings. The kitchen, unlike many American restaurants, is out of sight. I appreciated not having the smell of fish and fried foods wafting into the dining room. For an appetizer, I had two beautiful fish cakes, with very little breading. The fish was wonderfully tender and the spicy sauce was a great compliment. The main course was fresh Scottish scallops, served in their shell, with a side of fresh, steamed, organic vegetables. And, for desert, my first sticky, toffee pudding. If you are ever in Scotland, you must get this desert. It is delicious and not as sticky or cloying as it sounds.It is a moist cake that rests of a toffee sauce, usually accompanied by either clotted cream or vanilla ice cream. It is a great combination of flavors. I've never seen it served in American restaurants, but I think it would be a hit.